If you are looking for a brand new home in the Lake Travis ISD, there are some incredible options to consider right now!

Last week we toured new homes in West Cypress Hills, Rough Hollow, and Rocky Creek.

Each of these communities offers a big wow factor for their residents! They are all very unique from one another but each one has the beauty of the surrounding hill country and amenities that make you feel like you are on vacation!

In fact, we spoke to a couple of people who live and love their community who were willing to share their experiences. We talked with them about the homebuilding process, their positive experience with their chosen builder, their Realtor, and their overall happiness as a resident. Stay tuned for future posts!

ALSO- we have a complete list of new homes in Lake Travis- so if you are a Realtor or a potential buyer looking in Lake Travis- simply reach out and we will send you our spreadsheet of new home inventory!

Sarah Taylor is one of those very rare individuals….are you ready for it?

She is a true native Austinite!

Not only does Sarah make a great tour guide for the capital city and the surrounding hill country, but she truly knows the Austin market.

Sarah’s insider status helps her buyers understand what the best neighborhoods are now, and what places will emerge as hotspots. She is knowledgeable of current and future development and how it will affect everything from traffic to schools.

Sarah specializes in upscale areas of the city including Westlake, Riverplace, Lakeway, Northwest Hills, Tarrytown, Spicewood and Bee Cave. She is also familiar with the different neighborhoods that comprise central Austin and has a good grasp on housing trends and current events happening within the city.

Sarah can also recommend builders who specialize in luxury, green building and specific areas.

Sarah Taylor

Keller Williams Realty

Contact her today at (512) 689-1177 or SarahSellsAustin@gmail.com

1. Who inspires you right now?

My grandmother

2. What is the best thing you’ve read this year?

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

3. Best thing you have done this year?

Family vacation in Tahoe for my cousins wedding. And closed a bunch of deals.

4. What do you like most about Real Estate?

Helping people to change their lives and achieve their dreams.

5. If you were headed to the beach for a week and could only take 3 things in your backpack what would they be?

Sunscreen, bathing suit, sunglasses. Does that go without saying?

6. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

“Try to be nice and friendly, because that is the kind of person that people want to be around”

7. What lights you up?

Good friends and family.

8. What habit have you developed that has changed your life?

Healthy eating

9. What is your favorite quote?

“Don’t underestimate me. I know more than I say. Think more than I speak and notice more than you realize”

10. Who has influenced you most in life?

My mom

11. If you were going out to dinner tonight- where would you go and why?

Hudson’s on the Bend. Cozy and classic with great food and service.

12. If you had a family coming in from Austin to check it out, what would you advice them to see and do?

Last week we toured new homes in Rough Hollow with a group of fabulous Austin Realtors. One of the highlights of the tour was getting to meet Dori Conway, onsite New Home Sales Consultant for Grand Haven Homes. Dori greeted us at her stunning model home with a huge smile and a wealth of information about Grand Haven Homes and the Rough Hollow Community of West Rim. Her enthusiasm for what she does truly shines through! She loves helping people find the perfect new home and meeting Austin Realtors.

If you are in the Lakeway area looking for new homes or you are an Austin Realtor looking to increase your knowledge- stop in and say hello! (Be sure to also visit the other Grand Haven Homes Communities in Rough Hollow while you are there: The Summit, Highland Terrace, Cypress Ridge, and The Woodlands)

Here are a few questions we asked to get to know Dori better:

1. Where are you from originally and what brought you to Austin?

Originally from Minnesota – grew up in northern Minnesota – Grand Rapids, MN and moved to the Mpls/St. Paul area in High School. My children (2 boys) are grown and moved away so I decided to move to Austin to be close to my Mother and Sister.

2. What is the best thing about working with Grand Haven Homes?

Grand Haven Homes is a first class organization and builds one of the best, quality homes in the Austin area.

3. Who inspires you most?

My sister, Amy. She is a very successful business owner, wife and mother of 2 beautiful girls. She is a hard-working, caring person that always finds time to give of herself selflessly to her family, friends, church and community.

5. What is your favorite Grand Haven floor plan in your community and why?

We have so many great floor plans to choose from but I really like the model floor plan (7810). This plan has a large open kitchen, dining room and living room – great for entertaining. It also includes a private casita for guest and the second floor includes a media room and bonus room.

Donna Ciccarelli is an experienced Realtor (she’s been selling Texas Real Estate since 1997) and she specializes in the Northwest Austin area. When I called her several months ago to get some insight on the Northwest Austin market, I figured that she would know her stuff, but wow did she ever! Not only did she give me all the stats and facts and figures about Georgetown, Leander and Cedar Park, but this simple interaction with her left such a lasting impression on me. She didn’t have to take the time to provide me with so much detailed information on the homes and communities (after all, I was not even looking to buy) but because of her extensive knowledge of the market and her genuine enthusiasm for the community, I would certainly recommend her to anyone who is looking to sell or buy in Northwest Austin.

Here are a few questions we asked to get to know Donna Ciccarelli better. Enjoy her fun answers!

1. Who inspires you right now?

I think about this young man I met at a coffee shop about two weeks ago. Matt is 28 years old and his sole profession is as an investor. At the age of 18 he purchased his first house, and he now he is forming an LLC to purchase an assisted living center. His main goal is to create enough wealth that he can retire in his forty’s to pursue nothing but philanthropy. Matt and his mother’s dream is to carry on his dad’s passion of raising funds to establish water wells in Africa.To be so young, so focused, and so driven to succeed is inspiring to me. Matt pushes past fears and naysayers by fearlessly educating himself about real estate, investments, and planning. He seeks the best in the industry and is in hot pursuit to glean all he can from them.

2. What is the best thing you’ve read this year?

Unbroken, the true story of Louis Zamperini’s survival story from his capture in WWII. Just about the time I thought life couldn’t get worse for Louis, it does. Yet, his inner strength keeps him pushing through his struggles. It’s also a story of great suffering, great triumph, forgiveness, and redemption.

3. Best thing you have done this year?

My husband Joe and I visited Civil War sites with our friends in Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, and Chancelorsville. I walked many of the trails the troops marched on. I have always loved experiencing places rather than just reading about them. The human struggle has always interested me.

4. What do you like most about Real Estate?

Serving others. I get to know so many people I would never have the opportunity to meet otherwise, and help them make one of the biggest transitions in their lives.

5. If you were headed to the beach for a week and could only take 3 things in your backpack what would they be?

Sunscreen, bathing suit, water – I’m practical.

6. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

My grandmother said “Leave ‘em better than you found ‘em. Whether it’s a person behind the counter at a Dairy Queen, or a whole community, always, always leave it better than you found it.” I feel like I make opportunities to do that. Find something kind to say to perk someone up, or help an entire community get behind a restoration project that changes the lives of the community.

7. What habit have you developed that has changed your life?

Taking time to pray, study my Bible, and memorize Scripture.

8. What is your favorite quote?

If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door. ~ Milton Berle.

9. Who has influenced you most in life?

My grandmother – her unconditional love, her kindness, and her hospitality toward all people. She was a Godly woman full of purpose and genuine love for others.

10. If you were going out to dinner tonight- where would you go and why?

Actually, I would prefer to have friends over for my husband’s specialty The Beast – a standing rib roast rubbed with Cajun seasoning and soy sauce. Joe is a fabulous cook and host for our friends – tons of laughter and great food!

11. If you had a family coming in from Austin to check it out, what would you advice them to see and do?

Rent kayaks on Town Lake ( ok, Ladybird Lake!) and paddle down to the bridge at South Congress to watch the bats at sunset, take in the Austin skyline. Visit photo op areas of Austin – Pennybacker Bridge, the graffiti walls of SOLA and Guadalupe streets for photo ops, Huts Hamburgers, The Elephant Room for great Jazz, Austin City Limits music, have a progressive dinner in the warehouse district of downtown Austin.

This year Starr Brazeal created and founded Texas Real Estate Services. Starr works with many of Austin’s top producing Realtors and she certainly lives up to her name! Starr is not only known for her huge heart and very personable demeanor but she is also known to be a consummate professional in the Austin Real Estate industry. When someone is describing Starr you will hear words and phrases like: very efficient, highly detailed organized, on the ball, really knows her stuff, and you can always count on Starr.

We asked a few questions to get to know her better and her answers were downright inspiring!

1. What is the best thing you have done this year?

At the age of 54 started my own business! I have worked in the Real Estate industry for 18 years. And many times I’ve helped other agents and have heard “I wish I had a Starr” so I created my company to help those agents and many more. I take pride in making it easier on the agents so they can devote much more time to listing and selling. Plus it gives me the opportunity to spend every minute of every day with my special needs daughter. It’s a win-win for everyone!

2. Who inspires you right now?

Cord and Anne Shiflet! They are amazing people with a beautiful amazing family. They have always been the hosting spot for many, many charities. They open their hearts, and they get people to open their wallets and give. If the Shiflets are involved, you know it’s going to be amazing! They gave my daughter an amazing gift a couple of years ago and Cord showed up in Reindeer pajama’s to present it to her. To this day she still keeps their Christmas card on her nightstand in a frame. On her dresser is the photo of their wedding with Anne on the back of Cords motorcycle in her wedding dress. Not only are they an inspiration to me, but Anne is my daughters role model and, let me tell you, I couldn’t have asked for a better roll model!

3. What do you like most about Real Estate?

Watching people achieve the American dream of their first home. I still get goosebumps when I’m working with an agent and their clients and knowing they are buying their first home. It’s not about putting a sign in the front yard, or working for that commission. It’s about giving that client the best possible service so that they will always remember who was there. It’s the bases of a long lasting relationship.

4. Who has influenced you most in your life?

My daughter Rachel, born with Pierre Robin Syndrome, Uterine Didelphys, Heart Abnormalities, Hole in her heart and facial deformities. She is the strongest and toughest little girl I know! She has no hair, no chin, no bridge on her nose she wasn’t to make it past 2 years of age and if she did she’d be a vegetable confined to a wheelchair. She’s 29 now and is enjoying the life she has! She has taught me to accept people for them, not judge books by the cover and no matter how bad I have it, someone has it much worse. She makes me cry, she makes me laugh, she keeps me grounded and yet she lets me soar. She believes in me when I sometimes don’t believe in myself. She is a God fearing little bald girl with a heart as big as life! If you’ve not met her yet.. you’re missing out

What a fun morning we had yesterday on the Austin Trolley in Rough Hollow…AND what an amazing group of Austin Real Estate Professionals! Not only did they all provide expert feedback, and ask great questions, but their genuine enthusiasm for learning about new homes and helping their clients was infectious.

Brian Talley, founder of Regent Property Group, even showed up with a hospital bracelet still around his wrist! His wife had just given birth to their third baby girl a couple days before! Congrats to the Talley family!! It was such an added joy to be around a dad still beaming ear to ear with a big proud smile.

We could certainly write a paragraph on each and every Austin Realtor who toured with us…and we actually plan to do just that! But for now, we just wanted to say THANK YOU. We enjoyed spending time with all of you and collecting all your rave reviews on Grand Haven Homes and Highland Homes in Rough Hollow.

Tammy Young is the Broker/Owner of Leading Edge Realty along with her partner David McCalab.

Tammy is a native Texan and has been in the Austin area for fourteen years now. She earned a degree in Special Education from the University of New Mexico and taught in public schools prior to her transition into home sales in 2002. Her real estate career began in new construction selling homes for the builders. She is excited about www.SearchNewHomesAustin.com because it takes her back to her roots in new construction and helps afford the opportunity to assist more people who are interested in purchasing a brand new home in Austin as well as continuing to work in the resale market. Her background and experience in both resale and new construction in Austin is an added benefit to her clients.

1. What is the best thing you have done this year?

The best thing I’ve done this year is go into business with my partner, David, and open up our own brokerage. It has been a great endeavor and we are super excited about the future.

2. What do you like most about Real Estate?

I like being able to help so many people meet their goals and make their dreams a reality.

3. What daily habit has changed your life?

My best habit is the way I begin every day. My God time, as I refer to it, is my time to read, study and align myself for a productive day. No appointment is as important!

4. Favorite quote?

“If you aim for Nothing, you will hit it with amazing accuracy!”

5. If someone was coming into Austin for the day/night what would you recommend they check out?

I’d say they must check out Steiner Ranch Steakhouse. It’s so Austintacious with great food, a beautiful view, and live music all in one!

New Home at 22417 Rock Wren Rd- Highland Home in West Cypress Hills

Today was spent touring new Highland Homes in West Cypress Hills.

I actually find myself spending a lot of time in this particular community since my kids attend the brand new on-site West Cypress Hills Elementary School. Not only do I drive through West Cypress Hills daily, but I’ve spent many afternoons there at kid birthday parties in the covered pavilion or at the pool. I can say from personal experience that this is a really REALLY great neighborhood! And the people who live in West Cypress Hills love their community. It’s pretty easy to see why too. Not only are the homes beautiful- most back to greenbelt- and the residents all have use of the resort style pool- soccer field- basketball court- playground- hike and bike trails and of course there is the onsite LTISD West Cypress Hills Elementary School…which again, from personal experience, is an amazing school with top notch teachers and staff members.

Besides the new school, one of the best things about West Cypress Hills is the location. If you are leaving the community and you take a right you will reach Bee Cave and Lakeway within minutes. There you have the Hill Country Galleria with fabulous shopping, great restaurants, a movie theater, Whole Foods, Michaels, Cost Plus World Market, Salons…you get the idea. You pretty much have the convenience of everything you could want or need right down the road. But if you were to turn left upon exiting West Cypress Hills you would soon by surrounded by the beauty of the Texas Hill Country- wide open roads with breathtaking scenery all around. This makes for a truly peaceful and gorgeous Sunday drive out towards Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock, Marble Falls, the Texas Wineries, or so many other memorable day trip destinations. It’s like living with one foot in the country and one foot in the city!

If you are looking for a brand new home available now in West Cypress Hills, Highland Homes has ones that will truly impress!! And I am not just saying that! From the landscape, to the exteriors, to the floor plan layouts, to the tastefully chosen design features- Highland Homes really did an impeccable job!